Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-23
THE SEASIDE SWELL


The seaside swell is about the most amazing out
come OF nineteenth century civilization. No one
ever knows whence he came when he first bursts
into view, or where he goes when he one day sud-
denly disappears from the hotel that he has helped
to make resplendent Probably he returns to the
dusty and humble interior of "the store" wherein
fifty weeks OF every year spent. His hauteur
during his two weeks outing in the summer is be-
yOnd all bounds. His arrogance is amazing, and
his very rudeness Is apparently source OF delight
much happier time bereft OF his astounding airs OF
eXcluSiveneSS.
An instance occurred the other day. / was on
my way to popular hotel down on Long Island
which is much Irequented by fishermen, yachts
men and society folks. II is more Or less fashion,
able, believe, but the people are amiable and
good-natured. In the smoking compartment Of
The car there were four men. We were strangers
but journey OF several hours was before us and
the little civilitieS OF travelling companions were
exchanged at once. All OF. my fellow voyagerS
were mature in years. we'll dressed and admirably
bred. There was general interchange OF cigars
and papers, little whist, and then long, and to
me an exceedingly interesting talk on the manners
Of women In various parts OF the world, from the
matter-of-fact girl Of an Illinois farm to the ath-
letic daughter Of the Pyrinees. During the first
stage OF the journey a summer resort young man
entered the compartment twice, stared at us with
evident disapproval and abruptly withdrew.
Finally he pushed his way in front Of two Of the
ner seat, and pulled out q gilded cigarette case.
From 1t he took cheap and
OFFENSIVE CIGARETTE.
Every man knew that the odor OF the cigarette
would spoil the flavor OF his cigar but the matches
We're passed to the newcomer with the utmost
courtesy. He took the box without a word, blew
cloud OF smoke In our faces threw the box back
on the opposite seat, fixed a single glass ia his
eye, and glared about him, the most absurd and
priggish ass on earth. His clothes were white
flannel, his hose blue, with white stars, and he
wore shirt with red cross bars relieved by blue
satin scarf. There were eight or ten rings on his
cigarette-Sta1ned hands, and his hair was beauti-
fully banged. The man On my left-whO after
ward found was the head or one of the biggest
bear houses in the Stock Exchange-pasSed his
cigar case to the bowling swell with a smile
Wha-WhadS that:" draWled the swell heavily.
"WOnr you have cigar" asked the broker
pleasantly.
'Naw.'
He turned his back on the Wall-street man with
an air OF such intOlerable insoence that the
broker flushed to the roots Of his hair. We went
on, and the following morning we all met at
breakfast at the hotel. There was q general ex-
change OF Salutat1OnS, and several men nodded
politely to the cheap and gaudy swell He did not
acknowledge the courtesy IN any case. The men
ON the train proved to be admirable companions,
and they knew nearly everybody worth knowing
in the hotel Fun OF all kinds went on, but the
prig was not in it. He had two trunks, though he
only staid three days, and he wore three or four
suits OF clothes day. They were anexecrable nt,
and OF hmSy texture as a rule. All the man did
was to stalk gloomily about, stare hard at the
other guests and make frequent changes OF at
tire. Had he been little more human he would
undoubtedly have had good time. As 1t was he
looked mOurnful and miserable. and doubtless was
out on his vacation with the idea OF seeing how
obnoxious he can make himself, but nearly all
BLAKxLK HALL.